At a media conference on Wednesday, Garcia said 2,170 pupils earned less than 30 per cent in the examination while the number of pupils overall, scoring over 50 percent, dipped from 64.84 percent last year to 63.22 percent this year.

In a media release, Gopeesingh pointed out that Garcia and his colleague Dr Lovell Francis had “quashed a comprehensive package of measures that had led to the best ever SEA academic achievement in 2014, which was even bettered in 2015.” “This year, close to 15 per cent of SEA students scored less than 30 per cent. The number of students achieving less than 30 per cent had been reduced to one per cent under the People’s Partnership government,” Gopeesingh said. He observed that some of the measures which had been reduced included the provision of moderators and facilitators in more than 200 primary schools to provide one-on-one assistance to students.

“In addition, targeted support was provided in creative writing.

Students were asked to write ten essays over a year with the top five being elected. The ministers of education have also discontinued the more than 400 homework centres which had provided essential learning opportunities to students, especially those who are most in need.” He said there had been a significant reduction in the number of personnel in the Student Support Services division, including guidance counsellors, social workers and educational psychologists.

“Further, the management leadership capabilities at respective schools have been weakened, with the curtailment in teacher training and development and removal of Parenting in Education programmes. The decline in the results is disheartening and disturbing, especially after the historic academic gains of 2014 and 2015. I urge teachers and parents to keep the faith with their students and to work diligently in leading them to scholastic successes.

“I equally implore the ministers of education to initiate a strategic approach to the education system in order to once more achieve historic levels of achievement and to bring broad smiles to all SEA students, parents and teachers.”

On Wednesday, TTNGL chairman Gerry Brooks announced, “The offer received a very robust response from existing and new investors.

Initial indicators suggest the APO was oversubscribed.” Regarding notification of the basis of the allocations generally and a notice in writing of the allocation to each successful applicant, TTNGL said this “will be issued shortly with the dates set out in the prospectus.” Upon checking, Newsday was told the date of the transfer of proceeds from the sale of securities offered is July 19.

That date is also when the expected transfer of the securities offered to successful purchasers is scheduled to take place.

The expected electronic transfer of refunds via automated clearing house (ACH) is also July 19 while the expected notification of allotment of securities is July 26.

Potential shareholders had to provide proof of a bank account number for a chequeing or savings account with a local commercial bank.

This was required as refunds and future dividend payments will be made via ACH (direct deposit) to one’s bank account. Even before the APO subscription period ended; it ran from June 5 to 28, TTNGL bosses and those at their parent company, the National Gas Company (NGC), were confident that this APO was priced right.

As reported in the June 22 edition of Newsday’s Business Day magazine, NGC expects to raise $845,208,000 from the sale of its Class B shares.

The proceeds of which are intended to help fund Government’s fiscal programme. Asked on June 13 if management had found itself in a quandary when pricing the APO and if some investors had since expressed the view that the offer price should be been less than $21, NGC’s vice-president of Finance and Management, Narinejit Pariah, said no, they had not.

“If you look at the price performance of TTNGL over the past three months; from March 27 to now, that share traded around $21.75 on average and in fact, was closer to $22 from inception to now.

So we think it’s a fair price,” Pariah said.

Brooks, who is also NGC chairman, conveyed his thanks to TTNGL’s existing shareholders and re-investors who, “by their overwhelming subscriptions, reaffirmed their confidence in TTNGL.” “(Brooks) also welcomed on board new investors who expressed confidence in the strength of TTNGL and its APO of NGC’s 40,248,000 Class B shares,” TTNGL stated.

The offer price of $21 per share resulted in a trailing dividend yield of 7.14 percent – the highest on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE ).

However, Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen insisted the resignations were connected to the debacle involving the appointment of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar as a High Court judge and her subsequent resignation. Ramdeen renewed his call for Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the remaining JLSC members to resign.

Commenting prior to the start of the Senate sitting, Al-Rawi said, “One does take note of the resignations following the recent publicity surrounding the workings of the JLSC.” The AG continued, “Constitutionally, we have a very careful distance from the JLSC. That is the Government.

We don’t propose to breach that in any form or fashion.” He said Government expects President Anthony Carmona would make haste in ensuring vacancies created by the resignations are filled.

“The workings of the JLSC are a very important aspect of our criminal justice system, our judicial system, our public service in so far as they appoint officers to the Solicitor-General’s Department and also the DPP’s Office.” Asked whether the resignations were appropriate given the Ayers-Caesar imbroglio and possible loss of confidence in the JLSC, Al-Rawi replied, “I don’t want to speculate”, adding, “It would be artificial to separate these resignations from the events which have recently unfolded.” Ramdeen said Stollmeyer and Hamel-Smith did what they ought to have done from the very beginning. “It is very clear they have recognised the loss of confidence the public and the legal profession expressed in the workings of the JLSC.” Ramdeen argued the resignations were linked not only to the Ayers-Caesar matter but also to, “the question of the appointments of the other members of the bench now.” He wondered, “How could other members (of the JLSC) who are responsible for what has taken place…when they were simply members…the person who was in charge of the JLSC…have not found it right to take any action to build any confidence in the administration of justice?” Ramdeen said the resignations, “lay more of a foundation for the Chief Justice to go.” Saying all persons who questioned these appointments have been vindicated, Ramdeen said this was a call for constitutional reform, examining how judges are appointed and whether the JLSC should be involved in such appointments. He also said no solution has been found legislatively or legally to deal with the 53 matters which Ayers-Caesar was handling when she was appointed a judge.

Contacted in London by Newsday, Mendes said yesterday, “There is nothing to comment on.” He said the statement pertaining to the resignations indicated Stollmeyer and Hamel- Smith resigned for personal reasons.

Mendes said he was not going behind that statement.

Each month features a message of the month, an environmental fact, and a picture of a child participating in some environmentally friendly activity. Those invaluable lessons are there to see every day of the month. Children are encouraged to mark an X on the days they will be bagging bottles and a check mark on the days for truck collection.

Children learn the value of using a reusable cloth bag as opposed to plastic bags, which are bad for the environment. Children are encouraged to protect the environment and be part of the environment – to play outside rather than sit at the computer, which uses energy.

What is most striking about Yahweh’s calendar is the simple, clear messages that resonate with young people, and the pictures which demonstrate children actively participating in environmentally friendly projects. Through Yahweh, Tobago children actively participate in plastic collection in Buccoo.

Through Yahweh, Tobago children learn at a young age that they can make a difference in protecting the environment. It gives them a sense of responsibility.

This is how you create pride in your island; pride in your country.

This is how you harness the positive energy of children and prevent future cynicism. It is empowerment in its purest form. These children are learning organisational skills and leadership skills. They’re learning about their neighbourhood — who lives there and who needs help — and they are being put in a position to teach adults about the value of protecting and preserving our environment. What strikes me most about Yahweh’s project is how it enables young people to feel connected to their environment and indeed their country. It gives them a purpose in life at a time in our country where most young people don’t feel a sense of purpose.

It is so easy for children in this country to grow into that passive role played so well by adults in this country. Everyone grumbles, everyone complains, everyone feels that there is nothing they can do to make this country a better place.

These children will not grow up to feel this way because they see they are making a difference with every bag of bottles they collect. Recycling bottles is a very visible exercise in making a difference.

I know how important it is for young children and teenagers to feel connected to their country; to feel they have a purpose and feel their life has meaning. In the ten years that I have taught at the Youth Training Centre and the Port of Spain Prison, the number one problem I have found is that feeling of being disconnected from this country. That awful, helpless feeling is consuming.

I have seen how much young men in prison crave a sense of purpose; a sense of belonging. They thrive when they become engaged in positive activities. On any given day, I think about how different life could have been for these young men in prison if they had found a purpose in their lives.

To see the pictures of smiling children in this calendar working together to achieve a goal is a heartwarming sight. So many people disregard a child’s voice. So many children are not given the opportunity to express themselves in meaningful activities. These children are demonstrating that together they are a force to be reckoned with in a country that often ove r looks our most valuable resource: our children.

The ministry in a statement on Wednesday scotched recent claims by FFOS.

The ministry said while its minister Maxie Cuffie was grateful for FFOS’ interest in the issue, there are established procedures for any individual or group desirous of obtaining information from the Ministry or any Government agency.

FFOS corporate secretary Gary Aboud was directed to the FOIA’s website from where a form could be downloaded and a request submitted.

“This process gives power to anyone, regardless of their status or station to legitimately access information.” The ministry said it is committed to transparency and accountability and Cuffie is assuring Aboud that once a request is made using the proper channels, the FFOS will be entertained.” The statement provided some facts on the Government’s property rental.

The monthly rental bill is about $45.3 million VAT exclusive.

Rents of $3.2 million (VAT exclusive) per month have been saved by vacating unoccupied properties, with 20 leases given up on unoccupied buildings to date.

“One Alexandra Place which cost the Government over $50 million in rent between the period December 2012 and July 2016, now fully occupied under the same terms that had been previously negotiated.” The Government has given up Estate Trace, Barataria where $47.7 million (VAT exclusive) was spent from 2012 to 2016, without ever occupying.

“Additional rentals will be vacated with the newly opened Government Plaza which is expected to house over 4,000 public servants when fully occupied .”

Alleging an “irresponsible and premeditated action”, the PNM said Persad-Bissessar’s claim was designed to cause unnecessary panic.

“The UNC’s continued fear mongering should be rejected by the population as they are on a destructive path as opposed to working towards being part of the solution.” The PNM said the Police Service denied receiving any report of a kidnapping on Monday night. However, in a response yesterday, the UNC advised the PNM administration to focus on crime and not on text messages. In a statement, the UNC said it is clear that instead of dealing with the fundamental issues plaguing the country, the PNM led by Dr Keith Rowley “has resorted to throwing out distractions to deflect from the recent revelations widely reported in the media that the PNM has been and is in bed with criminal elements.” “Instead of informing us that the killers of 13-year-old Vedesh Subar and 57-year-old Rose Mohammed have been caught or that any killer has been caught, instead of telling us of the steps taken to reduce escalating murders – now standing at more than 250, instead of telling us what strategies will be implemented to assist at-risk youth to lead them away from a life of crime, this Rowley PNM is now pre-occupied with a comment on a text message.” Earlier yesterday, MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal accused the government of only condemning Persad- Bissessar’s story of a kidnapping to distract the population from the “debacle” surrounding the firing of Marlene McDonald as a minister.

In a telephone interview Moonilal said, “The political leader when she spoke Monday said she had information that was not confirmed. It was not a definitive statement of the commission of an offence. I think people are making a mountain out of a molehill.” Newsday, however, found no evidence of her saying the report was “unconfirmed.” She said, “But on my phone I got a text telling me that the daughter of a businessman has been kidnapped. This is the news I have received on my phone. I will give no details on it. Cause we are back to where we are with the PNM. So why is it that every time that the PNM is in power, murder and kidnapping increase?”

A statement on Monday, in the name of the league’s chairman Camille Robinson-Regis, said the party’s values, “must and will always supersede any one individual and the greater good of country must be the deciding factor.” It added that the league is confident that McDonald will continue to expend her energies in the service of citizens and the country.

The statement said the league views with concern the many disparaging personal attacks that McDonald suffered since she was removed from Cabinet 16 months ago and noted the dignity with which she bore these insults. It said if the incident shows anything at all it was the weakness of many of the systems in the country and the personal frailties of people, especially those who hold public office.

The league said it was disappointed over what has happened since Mc- Donald’s reinstatement, noting that her advocacy on behalf of her constituents was well-known and there was great optimism with her reinstatement.

It ended by wishing her God’s abundance, particularly in her time of deep trial.

For persons with visual impairment, many of whom were not born blind, this is an inconvenient reality. Unknown to many however, this does not need to be the case. Smartphone technology is universally recognised as modern tools which improve efficiency and effectiveness in the day-to-day lives of persons of all walks of life. The same is true for all users with visual disability. As a matter of fact, the average smartphone off ers accessibility options which can make a visually impaired individual a lot more efficient when using a smartphone than someone who can see just fi ne.

To ensure that such valuable information does not remain unknown, as well as to enable greater inclusion for persons with visual impairment, Bmobile partnered with Persons Associated with Visual Impairment (PAVI), to educate the public on the many available functions that most smartphones have built in and which enable greater accessibility for persons with disabilities.

This was the fi rst ti me that a local corporate entity took a proactive approach to helping visually-impaired persons gain access to knowledge and opportunities that were previously limited and that have such far reaching benefits for the community. In fact, bmobile was awarded “Best Social Investment Project” for the implementation by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking on the launch of the education drive, Camille Campbell, Vice President, Marketing at Bmobile informed that, “We decided to embark on a project that involved PAVI because we believed it was a unique opportunity to engage persons with disabilities in a partnership that would use technology, which is our business and benefit persons with disabilities throughout Trinidad and Tobago, which is everybody’s business. We are always seeking new ways to improve on our customers’ experiences and visually impaired persons are a very important part of our community.” Bmobile also undertook a migration of all its customers from its older 2G network to its newer and more advanced 3G and 4G networks. The knowledge gained from the education drive will facilitate and ease the migration of the visually impaired.

The partnership between bmobile and PAVI rolled out in multiple phases. In the fi rst phase, the Company launched a campaign called ‘Show and Tell’, in which PAVI representative Marlon Parieaho and associate Mikkel Trestrail visited several TSTT Retail Stores and Dealers around the country and held a series of workshops for bmobile customer services representatives, demonstrating the assistive technology available via various Mobile Applications and built into Smartphone Devices, including the iOS and Android platforms.

The workshop facilitators were two blind persons who hold leadership positions and are advocates for the blind community. They use assistive technology to help them be self sufficient in their jobs, volunteer work and personal lives. The presenters conducted live demos demonstrating the built-in features on the Smartphones, as well as some useful Apps for persons with visual impairment.

The objective of the workshops was to enable the Company’s Customer Service Representatives and Channel Dealers across TT to better support the needs of customers with visual impairment.

In order to ensure that customers with visual impairment have full access to these life-enhancing tools, bmobile now embarks on another phase of the education drive, hosting of seminars on “Smartphone Features and Apps for Persons with Visual Impairment.” The introductory session is targeted for visually impaired persons who have limited knowledge and experience with using smartphones, and the second session, the advanced session is geared towards visually impaired persons familiar with smartphones, who wish to learn about some of the specialized technology, including apps used by persons with visual impairment.

Persons attending these seminars will be exposed to smartphone technology, features and productivity apps which can help visually impaired persons to do a lot more beyond making and receiving calls, including scanning and using audio technology to ‘read’ books, navigation to move around, to check the weather, to use email and to read and create documents such as blogs, word processing and spreadsheets.

Additionally, a common issue is that many of the visually impaired live alone, may have difficulty moving about and may be isolated from the rest of society. Attendees will be taught how the possession of smartphones is suitable for them.

The training to use the assistive technology features will provide access to opportunities, connections, support and social networks that would otherwise be unavailable.

Examples include access to free movies for entertainment, while social media, Skype, blogs and other online support networks connect them with other blind persons all over the world.

The fi rst in the series of seminars will be hosted on Monday July 17th, 2017 at UTT John Donaldson Campus, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

The introductory session will take place from 10 am – 12 noon and the advanced session will take place from 1 pm – 3 pm. Individuals wishing to register a loved one can dial 333 from a bmobile cell or dial 0 from a bmobile landline. For more information persons can also visit bmobile’s Facebook page.

The world becomes a much smaller and connected one for blind persons armed and equipped with knowledge

Sandrine Rattan, coordinator of the event, said the event was to provide a platform for existing and potential entrepreneurs to connect directly with stakeholders who are in the business of entrepreneurial development.

She said at the forum: “This is not an expo. It is a forum opened to young people interested in business plan development, interested in obtaining a loan, interested in mentorship, network expansion, investment, legal support, business accounts and interested in different kinds of demands.” Stakeholders such as Amcham (American Chamber), UWI Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, Auxesis Business Services, First Link Business Services, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (Nedco), The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) and host YBTT (Youth Business of Trinidad and Tobago) the host of Connect and Sign 2017, were all on hand to provide the support for which entrepreneurs were looking.

Rattan said, “It’s the first of its kind (forum)being held in Trinidad, and an event where things are happening in real time.” The event was open to everyone in, or interested in business.

At the UTT booth, Inshan Meahjohn, Assistant Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialisation, UTT told Business Day his team comprised representative of UTT’s Student Recruitment Services – Knowledge TT, which is an online free portal for training and its Ustart incubator programme to help people start businesses and accelerate businesses.

He said: “UTT is quite unique in that the university offers 56 academic programmes, and those programmes are in many diverse areas such as maritime, aviation, engineering, fashion and agriculture. He surmised: “What that means is that our students come out with very unique marketable skills.” He also said: “Many times we produce a work force graduate, and what UTT has the ability to work with are a whole host of mentors within the university.

We have a physical space of 5,000 square feet in Frederick Settlement, Eteck Park in Caroni, a physical incubator, and a virtual incubator for people who don’t need the physical services. We will also be providing very shortly, loan funding as well at the university.

So we are providing a 360 degrees (of) service including the physical location, the mentorship and traffic.” The UTT incubator is designed for staff and students and alumni, and currently they are producing in the incubator, the support of 50 companies, some of which are looking at exporting in the agri processing industry.” He added that UTT is producing companies, because they were properly and academically trained, properly integrated into the programmes and then they handle them in the incubator side to form a business.

Meahjohn explained: “We get a student from day one, and that student is mentored by his lecturers. We get to understand if he has the ability to take risks, can he work with other students? Can he handle failure before he even gets to the point of the characteristics of entrepreneurship? “We have entrepreneurial courses that are embedded but the university’s focus is really technical skills.” He also said, even if there is a service that UTT does not provide, they work with the other stakeholders in which to do so.

Anil Seepaul, Centre Coordinator – ETIIC, the training arm of Nedco (National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited) stated that ETTIC provides training services as well as business advisory services.

“Anyone can just walk in to any of the branches in Barataria, San Fernando or Chaguanas and get advice on their business, how to keep better records, or advice on how to launch a new product, or advice on how to tender for a contract. We have training courses specific to those areas. In addition, you can speak with a business advisor as well.” And as if that is not all Seepaul said there is also a conference room that you can rent, to meet with anyone if the need arises.

Nedco will fund all business with the exception of primary agriculture business, that is crop cultivation, animal husbandry and all agro related products.

However, if one chooses to go into agro processing, Nedco will fund that.

Manager – Business Development, Auxesis Business Services, Jason Charles said: “We actually help small businesses grow and we have persons who are interested in getting into business grow into developing their business. We are essentially a firm that deals with convenience.” Seepaul stated that ETTIC allows the entrepreneur to concentrate on their core competencies.

He said: “We are about convenience so if you are a baker we allow you to concentrate on baking while we handle all the operational aspects of the business like administrative, accounting, legal, business planning, registration services, graphic designing, trademarking services.” He also said the good thing about them is that they don’t have standard pricing. What they do is meet with the person, have initial consultations with the person and develop… depending on what stage you are, we are about helping people as well.
The cost for a new entrepreneur will be far different from someone who is in an energy industry company.

“We price according to the entrepreneur’s needs,” he said adding that they are about training as well, and offer idea generation.
He said sometimes you have decisions that need to be made, so they play a devil’s advocate, so that the entrepreneur can get an objective opinion to help them guide their decisions for their businesses.

Stacy Charles, Liaison Officer, Business Incubator, UWI Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, the first commercial business incubator in the TT said their entrepreneurs are given access to training and resources at the ALJ GSB, and are currently in partnership with YBTT to maintain a formal relationship with all the incubators in TT.
“It is actually free to get into the business booster programme and you don’t have to be a student at ALJ or have an MBA.

What the selection committee basically looks for is creativity and innovation through your business plan which you will have to submit for entry,” said Charles.
Charles also said UWI-ALJ GSB Business Booster, also known as Biz Booster is the first CBI in TT. “We are a virtual incubator but our entrepreneurs are given access to training and various resources at the UWI ALJ GSB.

We are currently on our third cohort incubator and recently took BizBooster to Tobago.”

He died at the Port-of- Spain General Hospital.

According to reports, residents heard gunshots at about 10.30 pm and on checking found the body of the man at the side of the roadway.

Members of the Morvant Police Station were alerted and a district medical officer went to the scene and ordered the removal of the body to the Forensic Science Centre.

Homicide officers were also contacted and yesterday they were trying to identify the man through his prints.